The definitive business plan : the fast-track to intelligent business planning for executives and entrepreneurs

Cover -- The definitive business plan -- Contents -- About the author -- Acknowledgements -- Foreword -- Introduction to the First Edition -- Introduction to the Revised Second Edition -- Symbols used -- What's it all about? -- Have you heard the one about ... -- Who should read this book -- A quick fix or a longer-term tool? -- What is a plan anyway? -- Why bother? -- Key objectives for your plan -- Your target audience -- Ten steps to a successful business plan -- Don't trust consultants -- Who writes the business plan? -- How to use this book -- A winning presentation -- A concise communication -- Computer software -- Make it feel good -- First thoughts on layout -- Creating an outline document -- Getting down to it -- Why? -- When you don't want to be a big fish -- What to do if you have several businesses -- Your list of contents -- The executive summary -- The conclusion -- Responsibilities -- and the timetable -- Be a SWOT -- Where now? -- Know yourself -- Taking stock -- Start with the basics -- The central objective -- Are you visionary? -- How did you arrive here? -- Some numbers to please the bankers -- Building up value -- The all-important management team -- Business organization -- Business infrastructure -- Products and services -- Core competencies -- The next step -- Know the world -- For or against you? -- The next steps -- Collecting information -- Understanding the world at large -- Business partners -- The market -- what you are fighting for -- The industry -- what you are up against -- Competitive advantages -- Now write about it -- Moving on -- The core of your plan -- A strategy and an operating plan -- Portfolio strategy -- what businesses should you have? -- Business strategies to satisfy your desires -- Strategies for department managers -- Resource requirements -- Strategic objectives -- Documenting the strategy -- Creating an operating plan -- Documenting the operating plan -- Onwards -- About these numbers -- 'The time has come', the walrus said, ' to speak of other things' -- Varying views of the same numbers -- The way that bean counters think -- The planning horizon -- Looking back -- Estimating the present -- Crystal ball gazing -- Software tools -- Putting it to good use -- Getting to gross profit -- Breathe easily -- Forecasting sales volumes -- The big picture -- the economy -- Up close and personal -- industry and product demand -- Pulling it all together -- Cost of sales -- Gross profit -- Writing it up -- Getting to net profit -- Where the money goes -- Capital spending -- Capital assets that you already own -- Capital assets that you want -- Accounting for fixed assets -- Operating expenditure -- Net profit -- Other income and expenditure -- Moving on -- Funding the business -- Balancing your cheque book -- Balance sheets and cash flow mechanics -- Balance sheet headings -- Producing the paper -- Watching cash flow -- Using a surplus -- Getting it funded -- Debt or equity?